To protect the public and hold pet owners accountable, dog bite laws in Massachusetts hold pet owners strictly liable for harm caused by their animals. In an area of Massachusetts about an hour and a half from Worcester, a woman recently had to be taken to the hospital following a dog bite injury.
According to authorities, officials from both police and fire units were called to the scene – near Pell’s Fishing Road in Brewster – after being alerted to a dog bite incident. The bite apparently occurred a little after 8:00 p.m.; the injuries were enough for the 49-year-old woman to be taken to Cape Cod Hospital as a result. Fortunately, the bite victim’s injuries were not described as life-threatening.
In Massachusetts, except in some limited circumstances, pet owners are strictly liable for the harm caused by their pets. Strict liability creates liability for a pet owner even in circumstances when the pet owner has not necessarily behaved negligently. Dog bite victims may be able to recover damages from a pet owner for medical bills, lost wages and pain and suffering. Compensation can be crucial after an animal attack, as the bite victim must suddenly cope with unexpected expenses as well as physical pain and emotional exhaustion.
These emotional, physical and financial damages may last well into the future. Moreover, dog bite attacks can cause debilitating injuries and emotional anguish that inhibits a victim’s ability to earn a living. Due to the serious and often unexpected nature of a dog bite attack, bite victims may be in a state of shock after an incident. A Massachusetts personal injury attorney can offer guidance on next steps after a bite is received from a dog or other animal.
Source: Capecodtimes.com, “Woman taken to hospital after dog bite in Brewster,” Madeleine List, Aug. 13, 2015
